A VOLUNTEER group has said its work with Multiple Sclerosis sufferers
might end if no new volunteers come forward.

The Cambridge and District Branch of the MS Society is looking for new
helpers to continue work started more than 30 years ago.

Branch chairwoman Jackie Gelling is standing down next month because
of ill health and secretarial support is also needed. In total, the branch
hopes to find four to six new volunteers to join the committee.

Mrs Gelling, from Howard Road, Meldreth, the chairwoman for seven years,
said: "We need new blood and new ideas. People who come forward would probably
have had experience of MS but you do not need to have had any experience."

Committee members are usually assigned different tasks, such as organising
transport or dealing with the publicity. They also oversee the work of
a welfare team which visits MS sufferers in their own homes.

Mrs Gelling, 55, whose husband Joe, 60, has MS, said: "They help people
with benefits they are entitled to and can also offer them financial support.
They are generally somebody for people with MS to talk to. Sufferers benefit
from having someone to offload on."

She continued: "The welfare team would not be able to function without
their management committee. If we do not continue, local people will lose
their local contact."

The committee meets every two months on a Tuesday evening. Somebody
is particularly needed to take minutes at the meetings, with a view of
eventually taking on the role of secretary. Volunteers are also needed
to join the welfare team.

If you think you can help, please call Mrs Gelling on (01763) 262471
or branch secretary Christine Phillips on (01954) 210684 by April 2 for
more information.